Fly-in, fly out (FIFO) chefs play an important part on every mine site. They provide delicious and nutritious meals to all of the workers present. It’s a rewarding career choice, as you get to use your cooking skills and make an important contribution to mine operations. Mine sites all around Western Australia are looking for FIFO chefs, so now is a great time to get into the profession.
What does a FIFO chef do?
A FIFO chef is responsible for preparing meals for the workers on a mine site. They cook dishes in bulk to make sure there is enough for the staff. FIFO chefs work together as part of a larger team and coordinate with one another to create a range of dishes every day.
The menus are planned to create a variety of different options for breakfast, lunch and dinner. However, they will also have to cater some foods to the unique dietary requirements of certain individuals.
Often, chefs will be working under a lot of pressure and in somewhat challenging conditions. This is why such an emphasis is placed on having experience working as a chef or cook.As with all FIFO workers, chefs fly to a mine site for an allotted time period to work and go back to the city for their time off. These time periods, or swings, vary widely depending on different mining companies and the specifics of a FIFO chef’s job agreement.
What qualifications do you need to become a FIFO chef?
The main qualification you need to work as a FIFO chef is a Certificate III in Cookery or an equivalent qualification. The Certificate III in Cookery can be acquired at any relevant training organisation whilst equivalents apply to cooking qualifications that cover the same skills and knowledge.
Certificate III in Commercial Cookery
A Certificate III in Commercial Cookery helps you learn the practical skills and knowledge required to prepare and cook food in a commercial kitchen. In addition to the cooking process, you will learn about communication, food hygiene, occupational health and safety procedures, and organisational skills.
The entrance requirement for a Certificate III in Commercial Cookery depends on your education level. School leavers may enter into the course with an OLNA or NAPLAN 9 Band 8. Non school leavers must have C grades in year 10 English and Maths or equivalent. If you are trying to find an equivalent according to the Australian Qualifications Network (AQF), you would need a relevant Certificate I or Certificate II.
Equivalents
Equivalents to a Certificate III are determined by AQF. They are generally determined based on practical experience, skills and knowledge in a specific vocational area like commercial cooking.
What experience is good for becoming a FIFO chef?
Both private and commercial cooking experience are very beneficial for anyone looking to become a FIFO chef. While different, they both give you a useful leg up when it comes to the necessary skills for the role.
Work experience
Experience working in a commercial kitchen is incredibly valuable if you’re looking to become a FIFO chef. Often, it will be a similar environment to working in a FIFO kitchen. While cooking large meals is different to making dishes to order, many of the key skills carry over.
Personal experience
Personal experience with cooking can also be very valuable for a FIFO role. This includes cooking for family or just cooking as a hobby. While it’s a different experience to commercial cooking, it still allows you to develop the fundamental skills necessary for the role. However, it is worth noting that you will still be required to have the relevant qualifications before applying for a FIFO Chef role.
What are the advantages of becoming a FIFO chef?
There are many great reasons that someone may want to be a FIFO chef. It gives people an opportunity to utilise their cooking skills, live an interesting lifestyle, and get paid a decent salary.
Utilise cooking skills
Becoming a FIFO chef is a great opportunity to utilise any existing cooking skills you may have. It’s fairly straightforward to make a pivot from another cooking role to one on a mine site. While you may need to get some kind of certification, it will be much smoother than getting qualified for an entirely new type of role.
Lifestyle
Many FIFO workers prefer the lifestyle compared to traditional work arrangements. They get the opportunity to visit breathtaking and scenic locations in remote parts of Western Australia. Additionally, by doing longer swings on the site, you get more free time in return. This makes it easier to have frequent holidays.
Competitive pay
While the exact salary will vary based on employer, FIFO chef jobs typically provide a competitive pay rate. There is currently a high demand for workers in all kinds of roles within the mining sector. Because of this, roles within the industry, like chefs, are paid well compared to similar roles that aren’t in the mines.
Where to find a FIFO chef job
You can find FIFO jobs by using the relevant job boards such as the one at Red Dirt. Here we will provide a range of job listings for different roles near Perth, including chefs. At Red Dirt, we are dedicated to helping connect job seekers in Perth with the mining employers that suit them best. Contact us today if you’re interested in learning more.